Undergarment with puff shield perspiration blocking system

ABSTRACT

The undertank or lining tee includes a body and a sleeve, in part defining an armpit section aligned with the endocrine glands of the wearer. The armpit section has an interior surface of a given size. A shield is formed of a substantially bean-shaped fabric sheet of a size slightly larger than the size of the armpit section. The fabric sheet has a laminated or coated liquid blocking layer. The sheet is stitched to the interior surface of the armpit section to produce a slight puff or pucker in the shield.

As far as we are aware, there is no system for protecting garments by blocking perspiration that utilizes a bean-shaped, two-layer shield affixed to an undergarment in alignment with the underarm endocrine glands or is manufactured by forming a layers of liquid wicking fabric material, one of which has a liquid blocking layer, which shield is slightly larger in size that the armpit section of the undergarment to which it is attached such that the shield has a slight puff or pucker.

It is therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide an undergarment with a perspiration blocking shield that eliminates perspiration stains and/or discoloration in a garment worn over the undergarment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an undergarment with a perspiration blocking shield wherein the shield is formed to have a slight puff or pucker.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an undergarment with a perspiration blocking shield wherein the shield is formed of coated fabric of liquid wicking material, one of which is laminated or coated with a liquid blocking layer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an undergarment with chemical-free perspiration protection.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for fabricating an undergarment with a perspiration blocking shield.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the above objectives are achieved by the present invention which relates to an undergarment including a body and a sleeve, in part defining an armpit section aligned with the endocrine glands of the wearer. The armpit section has an interior surface of a given size. A shield is provided made from a substantially bean-shaped fabric sheet of a size slightly larger than the given size of the armpit section. The fabric sheet has a liquid blocking layer. Means are provided for stitching the fabric with the liquid blocking layer to the interior surface of the armpit section to produce a slight puff or pucker in the shield.

The undergarment preferably takes the form of an undertank or a lining tee.

The fabric sheet is preferably made of polyester. The liquid blocking layer is preferably laminated or coated on the fabric sheet.

The liquid blocking layer preferably includes PVC, ENA or GLOWTEK.

The liquid blocking layer is preferably laminated or coated to the liquid blocking side of the fabric sheet.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing an undergarment with a perspiration blocking shield is provided including the steps of:

-   -   (a) forming the undergarment by fabricating a body portion and a         sleeve portion and attaching the body portion and sleeve portion         together so as to at least partially define an armpit section of         a given size adapted to align with the endocrine glands of the         wearer;     -   (b) forming a shield with a substantially bean-shaped sheet of         fabric of a size slightly larger than said given size;     -   (c) forming a liquid blocking layer on the fabric; and     -   (d) stitching the liquid blocking laminated side of the fabric         to the interior of the armpit section to produce a slight puff         or pucker in the shield.

The undergarment is preferably an undertank or a lining tee.

The fabric sheet is preferably made of polyester. The liquid blocking layer is preferably laminated or coated onto the fabric sheet.

The liquid blocking layer preferably comprises PVC, ENA or GLOWTEK.

The liquid blocking layer is preferably laminated or coated to the liquid blocking side of the fabric sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, the present invention relates to an undergarment with a puff shield perspiration blocking system and to a method of manufacturing same as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1A is a plan view of the front of the bean-shaped puff shield perspiration blocker of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a plan view of the side of the puff-shield perspiration blocker of FIG. 1A further illustrating the dual-layer polyester fabric construction with the liquid blocking layer;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the front of the undergarment, shown inside out, illustrating the puff shield perspiration blockers sewn inside;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of back of the undergarment, shown inside out; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of front of the undergarment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an undergarment with puff shield perspiration blocking system. As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the undergarment, generally designated A, includes a body portion 12 and first and second sleeve or cap sleeve portions 14 which at least partially define armpit sections 16 which will align with the endocrine glands of the wearer of the undergarment. Undergarment A preferably takes the form of a men's or women's undertank or a women's lining tee.

A bean-shaped shield 10, illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, is attached to undergarment A in alignment with each armpit section 16. Each shield 10 consists of a sheet 20 of liquid wicking fabric material, such as polyester, and a layer 25 of liquid blocking material laminated or coated to one side of fabric sheet 20.

Undergarment A is formed by first cutting and sewing the body 12 and sleeves 14 in a conventional manner in the size and design specification laid out by the designer, choosing body length, neckline and any variety of fabrics, such as nylon spandex, cotton or polyester blends.

Next, the liquid blocking shields 10 are formed. For each shield, the sheet 20 is dye-cut or hand-cut to form the bean shape, using a bean-shaped pattern and ‘grade’ according to size (small shield, is slightly smaller in circumference than the medium, and large tank shield, and so on). Layer 25 is then laminated or coated with a liquid blocking layer. The fabric sheet is cut such that it is slightly larger than the interior surface of the section 16 of the undergarment to which it will be attached.

Last, using careful markings on the undergarment defining armpit sections 16 for full endocrine gland coverage under the armpit, down the underarm, and around the back, each shield 10 is sewn into the garment by stitch line 40 in alignment with a different one of the sections 16. Because each shield 10 is fabricated to be slightly larger than the section 16 of the undergarment to which it is attached, the shield will have a slight puff or pucker, as illustrated in the drawings, and will naturally sit in the armpit, when the wearer has the undergarment on.

The components provide an outer tank or tee, which acts as the wearer's lingerie liner for knits, or a suit tee for under a jacket. The shield functions as a perspiration blocker to eliminate embarrassing staining and to diminish odor trapped in the clothing. It also protects against clothing damage from deodorant gels or powders.

The bean-shape shields are each preferably formed of a laminated or coated liquid blocking layer 25 situated on a fabric sheet 20 of 100% polyester. The sheet is sewn into the undergarment with the liquid blocking layer adjacent the interior surface of the undergarment. The liquid blocking layer is preferably a layer of protective PVC, ENA (an enamel coated version which is environmentally friendly) or GLOWTEK. GLOWTEK is a co-polyester film product specifically developed for high moisture vapor transmission. It provides a soft hand and has a good slip upon lamination. It is very elastic with low tensile strength.

The shields 10 are sewn onto the undergarment to fully cover the endocrine glands in the armpit, underarm and back of the wearer. The shields are fabricated to be stretchable and pliable and are sewn into the undergarment such that the shield has a puff or pucker configuration, which creates an environment to diffuse the wetness and promote dryness. The shields do not absorb moisture.

The shields act to block perspiration in the armpit, back and lower arm areas, for those individuals who suffer from hyperhidrosis.

The shields protect the garment of the wearer from discoloration caused by salt in perspiration.

The shields provide the wearer with a chemical-free solution to blocking perspiration. That is particularly important when health reasons prevent the wearer from using deodorants and anti-perspirant preparations which contain potentially irritating substances, including fragrance, parabin and aluminum.

It will now be appreciated that the present invention will prevent perspiration stains in and/or discoloration of any garment, no matter how close to the body it is worn or how thin and fragile the garment, such as sheer organza or silk. The invention provides a liquid wicking action in the puff shield design, which moves moisture and promotes dryness without absorbing moisture.

The invention provides a healthy alternative for perspiration blocking for those with medical problems, such as individuals who have had breast or thyroid radiation and cancer surgeries and must avoid chemicals in anti-perspirants and deodorants. Further, the invention provides full endocrine gland coverage to eliminate stains, while providing a fashionable alternative to other medicinal solutions in the current lingerie market.

While only a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims. 

1. An undergarment comprising a body and a sleeve, in part defining an armpit section aligned with the endocrine glands of the wearer, said section having an interior surface of a given size, and a shield, said shield comprising a substantially bean-shaped fabric sheet of a size slightly larger than said given size of said section, said fabric sheet comprising a liquid blocking layer, and means for stitching said fabric sheet to said interior surface of said section to produce a slight puff or pucker in said shield.
 2. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said undergarment is an undertank.
 3. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said undergarment is a lining tee.
 4. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said fabric sheet comprises polyester.
 5. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said liquid blocking layer comprises PVC.
 6. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said liquid blocking layer comprises ENA.
 7. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said liquid blocking layer comprises GLOWTEK.
 8. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said liquid blocking layer is laminated to the side of said fabric facing said section.
 9. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said liquid blocking layer is coated to said second sheet.
 10. A method of manufacturing an undergarment with a perspiration blocking shield comprising the steps of: a. forming the undergarment by fabricating a body portion and a sleeve portion and attaching the body portion and sleeve portion together so as to at least partially define an armpit section of a given size adapted to align with the endocrine glands of the wearer; b. forming a substantially bean-shaped sheet of fabric of a size slightly larger than the given size of the armpit section; c. forming a liquid barrier layer on the fabric sheet; and d. stitching the edge of the fabric sheet to the interior of the armpit section to produce a slight puff or pucker in the shield.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the undergarment is an undertank.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the undergarment is a lining tee.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the sheet comprises polyester.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the liquid blocking layer comprises PVC.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the liquid blocking layer comprises ENA.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the liquid blocking layer comprises GLOWTEXK
 17. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of laminating the liquid blocking layer to the fabric sheet.
 18. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of coating the liquid blocking layer on the fabric sheet. 